New reports for 2014-2015 season... newest to oldest with archives a click away.

January
17th, 2015 Rode from 'Our Place' in Finland,
MN to the Trestle Inn via the
North
Shore State Trail and the
Tomahawk. The
state trail had good stretches, and then the
bumpy stretches. Not too bad if you really
want to get out and ride. The Tomahawk is
the Tomahawk...it sucked for the most part.
There were a couple of stretches where you
could open the throttle up and feel the
rush. Went down forest road 166 to the Tofte
spur just to justify coming up for the
weekend. It was AWESOME. Let's just say
there was no carbon build up on my sled
after that run. From the Trestle I went to
the Knotted Pine in Isabella...that just
about shattered my spine. Hate to say it,
but it was rough. Definitely rideable, but
it HURT. From the Knotted Pine, I rode to
the Wildhurst Lodge via the Tomahawk and
Timberwolf trail along the power
lines...rough, but not too bad. From the
Wildhurst Lodge I took the
moosewalk back
to the state trail and it was pretty darn
good. The day total was 110 miles and well
worth getting the sled out. Have fun and
ride safe! Report by
Dan T. Blaine, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Jan
14,
2015 Conditions along the Gunflint Trail are
not too bad for snowmobiling. We currently
have approximately 18” to 20” on the ground.
The trails have been groomed. We are
expected to have some warmer temps and a
slight chance of snow the next 4-5 days. We
have had riders coming through just about
every day. We are expecting to see a lot of
people around this weekend for the Trout
Season Opener. If you are in the area come
on in and see us. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Jan
11, 2015 I hope this
report gives some folks from the twin cities
a bigger picture of what's going on in
Northern Minnesota as opposed to some of the
vague reports/conditions we've been
receiving. It makes a difference on whether
or not people come up for the weekend based
on what people are saying about the
conditions.

I rode from Devil Track Lodge on Friday the
9th to Lutsen via the
North Shore State
Trail. The trail was in pretty decent
condition.......a few bumps in the
beginning, but it smoothed out fairly well
and we had a good ride. We saw two other
machines that day. I hit 3 rocks in 25
miles.......not bad for the conditions.
Obviously we need more snow, and that is
evident by the feel of the trail as you
ride.......it's a little more firm than a
regular snowy winter, but still very rideable and fun. Don't get me
wrong.......you can ride all day and night
up North....plenty of snow.

On Saturday the 10th I rode from Devil Track
to Gunflint Lake. On the way up, I took the
gunflint trail which was pretty bumpy for
the first twelve miles, and then smoothed
out the rest of the way to Trail Center,
Hungry Jack, etc. From the mid trail to
Gunflint Lake was rideable but I would
categorize it as fair to good. On the return
trip, I took the expressway back and found
that to be a lot smoother and an all around
good ride. The two days of riding totaled
about 160 miles and if you are chewing on
your fingernails itching to ride, go up to
that area and you'll get some good riding
in. Great establishments and friendly
people. I hope this report helps. Ride safe! Report by
Dan T. Blaine, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 27, 2014 Current conditions here at the lodge. I would say we have a solid 12”+ on the ground. There have been a few riders out. The groomers have been out rolling and packing the trails. The Gunflint and Expressway snowmobile trails should be complete. The club has been out doing some extensive trail brushing. Trails are looking good and ready for more snow. I put the stakes out on the lake yesterday marking the trail that comes down Hungry Jack Lake. The lake had quite a bit of slush but with the cold weather coming things should freeze up soon. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 14, 2014 Well it is that time of year again. We have had snow this fall a little here and a little there but it has started to pile up some. We have about 10”+ of snow on the ground. Some warmer temps this weekend and a chance of snow into next week The lake has about 12”-14” of ice. No grooming has started yet. Have a good evening!Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Reports
from last season... use as ideas for where
to ride.

Feb 27, 2014 Our first trip to the North Shore Lake Superior. Three kids on their own sleds, wife and I on a two up four stroke Yamaha. Stayed at AmericInn Silver Bay for three nights, we could ride right from the lodge and didn't have to trailer at all. Kids loved the water park pool, so nice to come back to a pool and nice warm water. Barely could keep the kids awake past 7pm, so nice... We did a long ride with kids up the North Shore State Trail to Grand Marais for lunch at Harbor House Grill, three hours each way. So much snow and great sights along the bluffs overlooking Lake Superior. Various other shorter trips around Silver Bay and Lutsen. Kids raved all the way home and at school the next day about all the deer and snow. Thank you [snowmobiletrails.com] for your help planning, best vacation in a long time! Report by Todd, Marcie and family Owatonna, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Feb 18, 2014 We have had about 12”-16” of new snow in the past 5 days. Conditions are great. The club is getting all the trails back in shape after a busy weekend on the Gunflint Trail. Current snow on the ground 3 ft plus with higher amounts in the higher elevations along Lake Superior.Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Feb 14, 2014 We Cruised up to Silver Bay and stayed at the AmericInn Silver Bay on the 13th of Feb for a 1 day ride.... We encountered FRESH POWDER of 6 to 8 inches in depth and rode VIRGIN SNOW up to the North Shore State Trail and points north. Seemed like we were there before any grooming had happened, but it didn't matter... The trails are SMOOTH and STELLAR.... We've been going up there for 10 years, and it's as good or better than we have ever seen it there. Stay on the trails unless you're ready to dig... I went off trail and got stuck with my RMK... In almost chest deep snow... Almost like out west. We only saw a handful of sleds, thankfully 3 just after I got stuck! Thanks for the Help guys!!! If you own a sled and you're not riding, I don't know what your waiting for!! AmericInn Silver Bay is clean, quiet, and the hot tub is GREAT!! Get Up THERE!! Report by Neal L., New Richmond, Wisconsin. Send your report to us!

Feb 03, 2014 The trails were in nearly perfect conditions last weekend (2/1 &2/2). My wife and I began our Saturday ride on the Brimson Trail (#313) and headed towards the Yukon Trail (#153). The Brimson trail was freshly groomed from Hugos to the Yukon Trail. We took the Yukon trail to the Yukon spur and I'd say the Yukon trail was in average conditions as it got a beating from the Blizzard Tour but, the groomer did a nice job getting the trail back in decent condition. The Yukon Spur was again nearly perfect as it had also been recently groomed. We then took the North Shore Trail (#60# north to Finland, where we had lunch at Our Place. After lunch, we rode the Moose Line trial #156 and joined back up with the North Shore Trail and took this south back to our cabin. Again, the trails were nearly perfect and the traffic was very light.

On Sunday, we took the Brimson trail and this time we headed toward the Pequaywan Trail #73). All I can say is we were the first two sleds to use the trail after the groomer went by so I'd say the trial was in perfect condition! Once we hooked up with the Pequaywan Trail, we headed towards the North Shore State Trail and took that up to Dixies where we had a wonderful lunch. We headed back to our cabin in the Brimson area and the trails continued to be in nearly perfect conditions. We put on about 240 miles during the weekend and it felt like we rode 24 miles as the trails were so smooth. Very little traffic made it almost perfect. For you powder riders, there is a lot of unused snow in the backcountry if you can get there. Report by Mike G., Delano, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Jan 31, 2014 Rode from Grand Superior on 1/26 and 1/27 to the Silver Bay area. It was cold......but that just made the sleds run that much faster! Trails were in great condition. Stopped in to the Silver Bay muni, Wildhurst, and Our Place in Finland. Good times. Put on about 225 miles over two days. See you in February..Report by Dan T., Houston, Texas. Send your report to us!

Jan 20, 2014 Tho it was very cold, we rode over 100 miles in two days in Tofte and Lutsen. Stayed at the Mountain Inn at Lutsen on the Ski Hill. Kids went boarding while wife and cousins snowmobiled. Couple hundred miles, 3 days, saw two wolves right on the trail in Lutsen chasing deer. We should have followed the advise on Urbanspoon and went to Lutsen Resort for dinners, every place on the ski hill was horrible. Way to much money and horrible service. Moguls bar - never again! Report by Tim and Tonja., LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Send your report to us!

Jan 11, 2014 Stayed at Lutsen Resort Jan 5-10th. The groomers did a nice job in Lutsen and on the state trail from Tofte to Grand Marais. Lutsen Resort was a great place to stay right on the shore of Lake Superior and we rode right from our lodging everyday. The food was excellent in the resort and there is a nice cozy pub too. We put on 468 miles in 3 days. Best lodging we've ever had on the north shore! Report by Mark K., DesMoines, Iowa. Send your report to us!

Jan 6, 2014 I have been up the last three weekends, conditions improving to epic this weekend! 14 inches fell at our place and Lutsen trail system, North Shore State Trail (Grand Marais to Temperance River), Schroeder access/Chateau trails, Tofte access, Lutsen access/fox, beaver, deer were very good with lots of new snow on them. The Gunflint system needs grooming. On this past Sat it was like a cross country track (big bumps!) from Devil Track to Y express way turn, then groomed to Hungry Jack. Took Y exp on way back and it was not groomed and didn't look like it had been done in awhile, however since most of it is an unplowed road, it wasn't too bad with small bumps. We got back on State Trail towards Lutsen, it was groomed with about 4 inches of fresh snow that fell Friday night during the big storm. Off trail was almost to the point of needing my mountain sled! Deep and no base!.Report by Jeff H., Clear Lake, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 30, 2013 We stayed in Silver Bay and rode in all directions on 12/26-28. The trails were generally great. Trails were groomed and we did see groomers out. We didn't see many sleds until Friday night, but still not as many as expected. We did see more sleds on Saturday even though the weather was poor. Saturday brought sleet freezing to the shields and goggles. We departed before the temps dropped below zero. A great trip in a great area. It was our first trip to the area and we will definitely go back. I suggest researching gas stops before you get too far from civilization. Twice we thought we would run out of gas.Report by Al S., Prior Lake, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 26, 2013 Season’s Greetings from Hungry Jack Lodge!!! -20 this morning. We have had about 6" of new snow here in the mid-trail area since last Friday. Our current snow fall is 20"-24" here with greater amounts closer to Lake Superior. The groomers are out this morning and conditions are improving. Temps are expected to warm up a little and some snow is predicted. Today is our first day back open. We have out first guests arriving this afternoon. So come on up or stop on by. We are ready for a busy winter season!!!! Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 19, 2013
We currently have about 15” to 18” of snow on the ground in the mid Gunflint Trail area. As you get closer to Lake Superior to will find even greater amounts of snow. There is approximately 2ft+ in the Devil Track area and in the higher elevations along Lake Superior. The Cook County Snowmobile Club has just started grooming some of the trails for the first time this past week. I have also heard that the North Shore State Trail has also been groomed. There is some light snow predicted in the forecast over the weekend. I was out on Hungry Jack lake today and checked the thickness of the ice we found 12-14” of ice. I did run across some slush but overall ice conditions seem to be pretty good. We are getting ready to open up for the winter season the day after Christmas. Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season!!! Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 15, 2013 Went from Silver Bay through Finland up to Trestle Inn - state trails were smooth fast and flat. Finland area trails also very well groomed, trails to west were not grooomed and had bumps and powder. In 3 days passed about 15 sleds- awesome conditions and no crowds! Will be back soon!. Report by Ray H., St. Charles, Illinois. Send your report to us!

Dec 14, 2013
Lutsen area trails fantastic plus new 6-8 inches this weekend all rolled and groomed. North Shore Trail to trestle great shape. 5 miles on Tomahawk trail to trestle not so good. Local lakes are slushy. Thanks to the local snowmobile club groomers in the Lutsen area great job. Report by John Z., Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 9, 2013
Got out and explored some of the trail system between Pike lake and Devil Track lake. Of course the trails are not groomed yet, but the deep snow made for a lot of fun. There must have been at least two feet of snow in most areas. Also road along the shore line of Pike lake, very deep snow and drifting made for some fun riding; just don't slow down when you his the slush. Report by Doug S., Pike Lake - Cook County, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

Dec 6, 2013
We are still moving snow around and getting shoveled out. We received 14”-16” here at the lodge with reports of 2ft plus in the higher elevations above Grand Marais, Lutsen, Tofte. There are even higher totals further down the shore. I have hear reports from 20”-46” in some localized areas. Currently there is no grooming on the club trails yet. Some trail work is still taking place. Stay tuned for more reports. I will get out and check the ice on the lake later today and send a new report soon. Report by Forrest - Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, Minnesota. Send your report to us!

OPTION A - South Brule River Trailhead east towards Grand Portage 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, then right / east towards Grand Portage. Please only park on one side of the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 if parking lot is full. For dining and lodging go to Grand Marais or up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 would be best. Try this one, one day and the one below the next... Get both maps needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map and Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. From the parking area to Grand Portage Lodge / Casino about 47 miles one way. Fuel, food and lodging available in Grand Portage. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails except the Grand Portage Native Lands.

OPTION B - South Brule River Trailhead south towards Devil Track Lake 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, go left / south over pavement of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and onto the Devil Track Lake area via the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail. Please only park on one side of the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 if parking lot is full. You can also try the Musquash Trail to connect to the Expressway, which will hit the west end of Devil Track Lake. Or check out the dining and lodging Grand Marais. Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map. From the parking area to Devil Track Lake about 11 miles one way. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION C - Devil Track Lake / Old Cook County Airport Trailhead From downtown Grand Marais find Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 located off of HWY 61 near east end of town next to Chevy dealer. This is an inland trailhead. Go 4 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais, turn left / west at County Road 8 / Devil Track Road and go 3.5 miles to Devil Track General Store, then it is only 1/4 mile to Sky Port Lane / Devil Track Lodge sign, turn left here and go 1/4 mile to old airport runway parking area on right. There are two choices for trail access here. One is lake surface to trail junctions or sled back to Devil Track General Store along roadway to spur trail leading to G Trail. ( You just passed it right before you turned onto Sky Port Lane.) Access lake surface from parking area. This trail takes you to a marked lake surface trail junction, you now have two options; west or southeast. Going west across lake 6 miles to Expressway Trail junction, and onto the trails west towards Lutsen via North Shore State Trail or north on Expressway Trail to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. If you go left / southeast at lake surface junction, lake surface trail takes you to the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System. From there you go north to Mid-Gunflint Trail, Musquash Trail, Swamper Trail, Grand Portage Trails or the upper Gunflint System. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Check out the dining and lodging Grand Marais. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

If you go southeast you'll need the; Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. From the parking area to Mid-Gunflint Trail / Poplar Lake / Hungry Jack Lake about 25 miles one way. Food, fuel and lodging available on Poplar Lake, lodging and fuel available on Hungry Jack Lake. From Mid-Gunflint Trail area to Gunflint Lake add 16 miles one way. Food, Fuel and lodging is available on Gunflint Lake. Add another 14 miles one way to the end of the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail near Sag Lake. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION D - Mineral Center / Grand Portage Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 30 miles to left turn onto County Road 17 then about 5 miles to trailhead on left side of road. This is an inland trailhead. Use caution - road is rough, there are large frost heaves, you will go airborne if you drive too fast or don't pay attention. This trailhead is marked "Trail Center," on the Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map, we call it "Mineral Center Trailhead" so it is not confused with Trail Center area on the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12. Large parking area and trail signs. I suggest using the trails east / west or north out of parking area. Food, fuel and lodging available in Grand Portage off HWY 61 and near Lake Superior. Outpost Motel is on Hwy 61 and you'll drive right by it 8 miles after Grand Marais at mile marker 118. See all lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. From Mineral Center parking to Grand Portage is about 5 miles one way. Another twist to this area is Option L below, starting at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino trailhead and parking. Fuel and food is available in Grand Portage by driving about a mile further on HWY 61 from the Mineral Center Road. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is NOT needed for trails on Grand Portage Native Lands.

OPTION F - South Brule River Trailhead north towards upper Gunflint Snowmobile Trail System 15 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. On the right hand side immediately after the South Brule River bridge is a large unmarked parking lot and snowmobile trail heading north out of parking area to main junction, go left / south over pavement of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and onto the "G" Trail south towards Devil Track Lake area, or go north on "G" Trail or Swamper Trail. Please only park on one side of the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 if parking lot is full. You can also try the Mushquash Trail to connect to the Expressway, then go north or south. Many choices for dining; if you go north you can try Trail Center Lodge, varied hours call 218.388.2214. There is a lounge and Bistro with large menu @Gunflint Lodge or Gunflint Pines Resort, both on the south side of Gunflint Lake, has a nice burger and pizza type menu. Or check out dining Gunflint Trail. Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map. Food, fuel and lodging available on Poplar Lake, lodging and fuel available on Hungry Jack Lake. From Mid-Gunflint Trail area to Gunflint Lake add 16 miles one way. Food, Fuel and lodging is available on Gunflint Lake. Add another 14 miles one way to the end of the Gunflint Snowmobile Trail near Sag Lake. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION G - Ontario Canada from Gunflint Lake This trip takes some advance planning, but is a great ride. 45 miles up the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 from downtown Grand Marais and Lake Superior. This is an inland trailhead. Turn right on South Gunflint Lake Road / County Road 50 and travel one half mile to left turn into Public Water Access. Entrance to Ontario Snowmobile Trail System is half way down lake on north side. Trail takes you to Northern Light Resort, they have fuel and food and then onto Kashabowie, they also have fuel and food. From there you can stay overnight, travel on to Atikokan or head back to Gunflint Lake. Gunflint Lake to Kashabowie is 63 miles. Kashabowie to Atikokan is 81 miles. Atikokan is a full service town. Special border requirements apply. Check out permit info before riding into Canada, a OFSC trail permit is required. This route is part of the Circle Tour of the Boundary Waters and Quetico. Read story and see images of this incredible snowmobile journey. You must also possess a RABC Permit to enter Canada remotely, there are no stations on this route to stop and physically check-in at.

OPTION I - Starting in / near Two Harbors 23 miles up the North Shore Drive / HWY 61 from Duluth is Two Harbors. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use trailhead inland, call lodging to confirm spur trail is useable. Go through downtown and take left / north turn onto County Road 2, drive north on CR 2 about 8 1/2 miles to parking and State Trail System access or ride the 9.6 mile Two Harbors Corridor Trail, which has a trailhead and parking just east of town on Hwy 61. Trail takes the rider from town to the State Trail. From there you have many trails to choose from. We suggest staying at the Two Harbors AmericInn, they welcome Sledders and have a trail leaving the parking lot to the spur trail and onto the North Shore State Trail System. You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places on the North Shore; Holiday, SuperAmerica, visitor centers, etc... Two Harbors lodging and dining. Food and fuel available in many places in Two Harbors. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION J - Starting in downtown Grand Marais, Minnesota From Duluth travel HWY 61 east 110 miles or from Thunder Bay, Ontario travel HWY 61 70 miles to downtown Grand Marais. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use trailhead inland, call lodging to confirm spur trail is useable. The 5.5 mile spur to the North Shore State Trail starts from downtown, head east on your sled to the Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 / HWY 61 intersection, 1/3 mile from stop lights. Spur trail is on the east / right hand side of Gunflint Trail / County Road 12 and goes 5.5 miles north . You can also pick-up good printed maps at many places in Grand Marais; Holiday, SuperAmerica, Grand Marais Visitor Center, etc... Grand Marais is a small town that rolls up the sidewalks pretty early... plan your dinner before 8pm; after 8 we suggest The Birch Terrace across from the Rec. Park off of 7th Ave W and HWY 61, The Birch Terrace Lounge has a late night pizza and full beverage menu, and they support snowmobiling... Get map needed for this route; Gunflint Trail Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going down the shore you'll need: the Central North Shore Area Map has Silver Bay and east to the Cook County / Grand Marais Lower Gunflint Trail and connection to State Trail and Gunflint Trail System. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION K - Snowmobile / Ski / Snowboard - Starting from the Mountain Inn on the Ski Hill road. This is an inland trailhead. Great place to stay and play if some of your party would like to ski or snowboard while others snowmobile. If you are only using the Ski Hill Road area as a trailhead or if you have a large trailer please use the large gravel parking area about a mile and half up the Ski Hill Road / County Road 5, turn right / east after the Mountain Inn. This parking lot fills on weekends. If you only have a small trailer and are staying on the Ski Hill you may be able to park at your lodging establishment. From the parking area or any lodging establishment head south / down the Ski Hill Road to the Mountain Access Spur which will be on the left side of the Ski Hill Road as you go downhill. This spur will take you to the Lutsen Access Spur, which will take you to fuel / food / coffee shop if you go right to Lutsen. Once in Lutsen you can pick-up the Fox Trail from the fuel station. If you go left on the Lutsen Access Spur it will take you to the North Shore State Snowmobile Trail or to the Caribou or Beaver Trails. The best place to dine is Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior. The Cook County Snowmobile Club map has the Ski Hill Road / County Road 5 mismarked as County Road 36. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION L - Grand Portage Lodge and Casino Trailhead Take Hwy 61 through Grand Marais 31 miles to right turn to Grand Portage Lodge / Casino / Trading Post. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use Mineral Center Trailhead inland, call lodge to confirm spur trail is useable. Notice: fuel is quite a bit cheaper here. Parking and launch is down in the larger back lot of the Lodge / Casino. Trail proceeds north out of the northwest corner of the parking area. Area is under video surveillance. Lodging, food and fuel is available here. The restaurant in the lodge has good food, especially after a day of sledding! See Grand Marais lodging options. Get Grand Portage Snowmobile Trail Map. As of Jan 16th, 2010; there is no longer a ramp to unload your sled from your pick-up. The trail is in bad shape from the parking area to the main trail system. Too many trails that are also roads are plowed, including the Cowboy Loop and the Rengo Road. We recommend using the Mineral Center Trailhead, Option D above, starting at Mineral Center trailhead and parking, which is about 5 miles one way from the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is NOT needed for trails on the Grand Portage Native Lands.

OPTION M - Cascade River State Park / Cascade Lodge and Deer Trail Trailhead One mile west of Cascade Lodge and in the Cascade River State Park the trailhead accesses the deer trail right out of the parking area. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. Since it is in the Cascade River State Park, Park employees close trail and gate entrance without notice. Call Park to confirm spur trail is useable 218.387.3053. Entrance is between mile marker 98 and 99. Where 61 starts in Duluth is zero. You will see a brown trail access sign from both directions of HWY 61 indicating the Snowmobile Trailhead. As you travel along 61 you'll also see blue address numbers. Address for trailhead is 3871 W HWY 61 in Lutsen. There is a spur trail to / from Cascade Lodge to the trailhead and deer trail access and onto North Shore State Trail. Lodging at Cascade Lodge is very convenient to this trailhead and snowmobile trail system, even if Park employees close the gate. There is also a restaurant adjacent to Cascade Lodge. If you pass by the trailhead coming from the Duluth direction there is room to turn around at Cascade Lodge and Restaurant. Cascade River State Park is a 1/4 mile further up the shore from Cascade Lodge. Consider stopping at the Park, the Cascade River runs into Lake Superior here and there are hiking and snowshoe trails along the river. See all Lutsen lodging options or Grand Marais lodging options. Get Lutsen Area Snowmobile Trail Map. Read story and see images about this trailhead and trails. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

OPTION O - Starting from Tofte, Minnesota This is also great place to stay and ride your snowmobile right out of your lodging. This is a trailhead close to Lake Superior and can be affected by rain and/or sun melting snow. May have to use trailhead inland, call lodging to confirm spur trail is useable. With the close proximity to great restaurants, fuel, and direct trail access via the Tofte Trail, Leveaux Trail, Lynx Trail or Eagle Trail. Both have spur trails with direct North Shore State Trail access. See all Tofte lodging and dining options. Get map needed for this route; if you're going east / up the shore you'll need Cook County Map and Upper Gunflint Trail System Map. Or if you're going west / down the shore you'll need: the Upper North Shore Map with coverage from Tofte to Beaver Bay. There is also a Beaver Bay to Duluth Map. Good printed map are available at the Tofte Holiday Station Store. Minnesota State Snowmobile Trail Permit is needed for these trails.

The trailheads and routes above are a selected few of the numerous places you can launch from. Most lodging establishments have a spur trail nearby, where you can pick-up the main trail systems from.